THIS is a
statement
with which we are all familiar; and we all know it to be true; but do
we know why it is true?

When we begin
to
think of this statement, really think, we find it to be pregnant with
facts and possibilities far beyond anything the majority ever imagined;
and when we understand these facts and possibilities we shall find the
real secret to all success.

The
understanding of
these things, however, cannot be gained until we study carefully the
psychology of success itself, as well as the psychology of the above
mentioned statement. And we realize beforehand that we shall, through
such a study, find facts that will positively prove invaluable.

When we think
of
success, we usually think of the accumulation of wealth, but this can
never be more than a small fragment of success, because success in
reality signifies any form of attainment or achievement that is truly
worthwhile. And it is very important that we realize this larger
meaning of success before we attempt to comprehend the psychology of
success.

The fact is
this,
that anyone who is advancing in their work, is successful to that
degree, whether their recompense be large or small; and no one can be
spoken of as successful unless steady advancement is clearly evident.
It is only the mind that is moving forward, or rising in the scale,
that can succeed, because success invariably implies the adding of more
and more to what we already possess, whether those possessions be
tangible possessions, achievements and attainments or riches of mind
and soul.

When we
understand
the full meaning of success, we shall find that the reason why nothing
succeeds like success is due to the fact that the psychological process
of success contains, within itself, the real power for success; and
when that power has actually been placed in action, it tends invariably
to produce greater and greater success.

This is
something we
shall understand perfectly before we are through with this important
subject, and we shall find it interesting to the extreme.

When we
examine any
movement in life that is steadily advancing, or examine a successful
enterprise, or some great achievement in the process of
development—when we examine these things, we find two factors that are
chiefly concerned. One of these is the human mind, or group of minds,
directly responsible for what is being accomplished; and the other is
the effect produced by this particular accomplishment, upon other
minds, near or far, interested or unconcerned.

In other
words, when
you examine success, you will first meet the mind that is promoting
that particular success; and it will be very interesting to note how
success affects that mind, and how the process of success is affected
in return. In fact, it is right in this very place that we shall
discover why nothing succeeds like success. And when we make this
discovery, then the real secret to success will be a secret to us no
more.

We know that
whenever an individual begins to succeed, certain things begin to
transpire in his or her mind—certain things that have not transpired in
that mind before; that is, not in the same degree; and this is
particularly significant.

In the first
place,
that individual begins to appreciate themselves; and the moment real
self-appreciation enters any mind, the power to become and achieve
actually doubles in that mind. Thus we realize how success, in this
regard, gives the mind the power to succeed more.

In like
manner,
there is increase of self-confidence, ambition, aspiration, and the
desire to attain and achieve on a larger scale. All these things arise
more and more in the mind that has begun to succeed; and they all are
positive forces for still greater success.

Then we
discover
that the coming of success tends to produce greater harmony of action
among all the forces and faculties of the mind; and this is extremely
important, because the mind that can work in a state of active harmony
has from three to ten times the capacity of the mind that is unstable,
confused or chaotic.

This fact
illustrates very clearly how success, when once begun, actually creates
within itself the power to produce greater success; and that is one
reason why nothing succeeds like success.

More important
than
any of the foregoing is this: that whenever the individual begins to
succeed, then their mind begins to act more successfully. When you find
that you are a success, you begin to infuse your mind with the idea of
success—with the feeling, the consciousness and the spirit of success.
And accordingly, your mind will proceed to work more successfully,
thereby giving you the power to succeed more largely than before.

This very
thing we
all can appreciate perfectly; and we fully understand how the success
of the individual must increase in the tangible world as the mind is
trained to act more successfully in the mental world. Like causes
produce like effects. A mind that is a success in itself—that operates
successfully as a mind—will naturally produce success when called upon
to act in the practical world; and this practical success will
naturally increase with the increase of successful action in the mind
itself. These are all self-evident facts—facts that illustrate most
forcefully the importance of the subject under consideration.

Thousands of
young
men and women go out into the world expecting to succeed, not having
given a single thought to the great principle, that the mind must be a
success before the man can be a success. And therefore the majority do
not realize their cherished ambitions nor their lofty dreams.

We must have
efficiency in the mind before we can have it in the shop. The workmen
of the mind must be trained in efficiency and skill, and inspired with
the spirit of success, before the man himself can produce success. But
paradoxical as it may seem, success itself, when once begun, invariably
creates, in the mind, the power to produce still greater success.

A most
important
fact is this, that when you begin to succeed you begin to feel, more
and more, that you can succeed; that is, you begin to think that you can; and we are beginning to
understand the real reason why he can who thinks he can.

When you begin
to
think that you can, then you will find that all your faculties and
talents begin to act, with greater ability and power, upon the one
thing you are trying to accomplish, and results will increase
remarkably in consequence.

We can readily
note
the difference between the man or woman who thinks that he or she can,
and the one who doubts their own ability. The latter will not put
forward a great deal of energy; in fact, they will express but a small
fraction of their ability and power; but success does not come in that
way. The former, however, will turn on more and more of the current; he
or she will apply themselves more and more effectively; they will
become thoroughly enthused, and will express their very best under
every circumstance.

We may state
the
fact in this fashion: He who thinks he can, will arouse within him the
power that can. And whenever we begin to succeed, we will begin to
think and know that we can. This will lead to greater and greater
success; and here we find another reason why nothing succeeds like
success.

Every
individual
mind can reach the goal in view, and accomplish what is desired, if all
the power of that mind is concentrated upon the one thing that is to be
done. In other words, if all the talents and energies of any mind are
directed upon the one object in view, that object simply cannot fail of
realization, no matter how difficult it may seem to be, for the fact
is, that there is enough power in any mind to realize any human desire,
provided the all of that mind is correctly applied. And
he who really thinks that he can will apply more and more of
that all.

The psychology
of
the statement, "He can who thinks he can," is very simple, but in the
application of the principle, the individual must be absolutely certain
that he or she does think they can.

To illustrate,
you
may have a great achievement in mind, and you may have come to the
conclusion that you positively can see it through successfully; but
here is a fine point. You may think that you can; but if the
undertaking is very difficult, one that will require much talent and
time, you may, the more you consider the magnitude of the project, find
all sorts of little doubts coming up in your thoughts; and these may be
followed by a score of "if's" and "but's"; so that really, after all,
you are not exactly thinking that you can. You are simply on the
outskirts of the "can," and not as yet in the very spirit of the real I Can.

Here we must
remember that mere hope or a general belief is not sufficient; nor will
it avail to pretend that you can, or try to "bluff" your mind into the
idea that you really do think you can. The fact is, that when you
actually think that you can, and think so in the very spirit of that
conviction, there will be no doubts; absolutely none; and where there
are no doubts, there are no impossibilities.

When we
analyze this
state of the mind thoroughly, we shall find that every force, every
element and every atom of the mind becomes imbued with the spirit of "I
can" whenever you really think that you can. The whole mind, and the real life and essence of
the whole mind, becomes aroused with the same positive conviction; and
this means that the whole mind and everything in the mind will begin to
concentrate positively upon the object in view, and proceed to work
with full force for the one thing you wish to accomplish

Here, then, we
find
the very thing we all have been looking for; that is, the secret of
causing the
whole of the mind to work
with full
force for the object we have
in view; for we all agree that when all of the mind—every force,
faculty, element and power in the mind—when all these work together
upon any project, then genuine success will positively follow.

This may seem
to be
a farfetched statement; but we know that every mind contains undreamed
of possibilities and latent forces beyond all limitation. Then we have
the vast subconscious field; so that every mind has sufficient upon
which to draw for the realization of any goal or ambition conceivable.
And there is nothing that creates a greater draw upon the marvelous
powers of the mind, than the deep interior
feeling that you can.

Another fact
of
vital importance in the same connection is this, that the human mind
has the power to reproduce itself again and again on a larger scale;
that is, your own mind has the power to make itself twice as large,
twice as powerful and twice as brilliant as it is now; and then rebuild
itself a second time on a larger scale, a third time, a fourth time,
and any number of times for an indefinite period. Every individual
faculty or talent also has the same power; and, than this fact, there
is possibly nothing more stupendous in the entire psychology world.

When we
appreciate
this fact, we shall never hesitate when facing difficult or gigantic
undertakings; and under no circumstance will we ever say, "It cannot be
done"; for every individual mind has the power within itself to make
itself large enough and great enough to achieve anything.

Illustrating
this
fact, you may have an exceptional ambition, an ambition that refuses to
be "downed"; but your common sense informs you that your mind will have
to be twice as large, twice as able, twice as powerful as it is now
before that ambition could be realized. Should you give up? The average
person would; but here we come face to face with this stupendous fact—
your own mind can reproduce itself on a larger scale, and become twice
as powerful and twice as able. Then should you give up your cherished
ambition? Positively not. On the contrary, you would proceed to rebuild
your mind again and again until it became large enough to make that
ambition come true.There are
thousands
of promising men and women who declare, "I would like to do this"; "I
have that particular ambition; but I have not the talent; I am not able
enough to do what I want to do." But what of it? The mind can grow. You
can become able enough. That which is small today can become great and
powerful tomorrow. The force that can produce this increase in your own
mind, or in any special faculty or talent, does exist now in your own
mind. And the first step necessary to cause this great force to proceed
with its wonderful work, is to awaken within yourself the deep interior
feeling that you can.

"Nothing Succeeds Like Success"
by
Christian D. Larson

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